Question

A combustion analysis of a 0.503 g sample of an unknown hydrocarbon yields 1.53 g CO 2 2 ​ and 0.756 g H 2 2 ​ O. What is the empirical formula of the sample? Give your answer in the form C#H# where the number following the element’s symbol corresponds to the subscript in the formula. (Don’t include a 1 subscript explicitly). For example, the formula CH 2 2 ​ O would be entered as CH2O

Answer 1

C₅H₁₂.

Step-by-step explanation:

• The hydrocarbon is burned in excess of oxygen to give CO₂ and H₂O.

• The no. of moles of CO₂ produced = mass/molar mass = 1.53 g/44.0 g/mol = 0.03477 mol.

Which is corresponding to 0.03477 mol of C.

• The no. of moles of H₂O produced = mass/molar mass = 0.756 g/18.0 g/mol = 0.042 mol.

which corresponds to (0.042 x 2) = 0.084 moles of hydrogen.

• The ratio of the number of moles of hydrogen to carbon in the composition of the compound will be 0.084 / 0.03477 = 2.4 = 12/5.

• Therefore, the empirical formula of the compound under consideration is C₅H₁₂.